James Williams, a native of Knoxville and a graduate of Lamar High School, recently received the Media Distinguished Service Award from the Arkansas Activities Association for his years of service to high school athletics in the state.

The 56-year-old Williams attended Arkansas Tech University and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a double major in journalism and English.

He began his career as a sportswriter for the Texarkana Gazette in 1970, being sports editor for the past 25 years.

Williams is the son of Mary Williams of Knoxville and the late Kenneth Williams.

He is married to the former Phyllis Rhoden of Morrilton and has two sons and a stepdaughter.

Former winners of the AAA's Media Distinguished Service Award include Orville Henry and Jim Bailey of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock and Paul Eels of KATV in Little Rock.